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Slain soldiers' families visit Afghanistan

The loved ones of five fallen soldiers placed wreaths atop a marble cenotaph honouring Canada's war dead today to cap an emotional 24-hour visit to the region where their husbands, brothers and sons gave their lives in service of two countries.

By James McCartenTHE CANADIAN PRESS

Wed., April 16, 2008

KANDAHAR–The loved ones of five fallen soldiers placed wreaths atop a marble cenotaph honouring Canada's war dead today to cap an emotional 24-hour visit to the region where their husbands, brothers and sons gave their lives in service of two countries.

For Jim Davis, whose son Paul died in 2006, the whole experience was so moving that when the anthems were finished, he got up in front of a rigid formation of Canadian and Afghan troops and their senior military commanders to personally thank them for their work.

"Your bravery makes me extremely proud to be able to call myself a Canadian, and I thank you for that," Davis said.

Then, turning to their Afghan counterparts, he told the touching story of the Afghan family who attended his son's funeral in honour of Paul's commitment and his sacrifice.

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"When I looked into their eyes and I saw their hurt, that's when I began to realize the true meaning of why my son died in your country," Davis said, his voice steady and clear.

"I want you to know that when I hear your national anthem, I will stand as proudly as when I hear the Canadian national anthem."

Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, the commander of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, thanked the relatives for their long and difficult journey and pledged that the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers would not be in vain.

"In spite of the sorrow, we draw strength from each other and carry on ... we stand together with you to remember your loved ones' courage, sense of purpose and sacrifice," Laroche said.

"They put forward the best of themselves for something they believed in. They were special individuals, the best that Canada could offer, and they continue to inspire us every day we work to help the people of this country in their struggle for a better life."

Col. Abdul Bashir, commander of 1st Brigade, 205 Corps of the Afghan National Army, also paid tribute to those Canadians who have given their lives in the name of his country.

"In the fight against al-Qaida and terrorism, the great country of Canada sacrificed a lot of their children, and today we are here to remember these heroes," Bashir said.

"Their names will be written in honour in the history of Afghanistan and Canada."

A minute of silence was followed by a bagpipe rendition of ``Amazing Grace," a mournful dirge usually reserved for the solemn ramp ceremonies that accompany a slain soldier's return to Canada.

Then, one after the other, the family members were escorted to the cenotaph to place wreaths and flowers and to look at the gold-framed plaques commemorating their loved ones.

Barry Mellish, whose son Frank died in September 2006 in the bloody Battle of Panjwaii, said he was pleased to hear more children are in school, farmers are getting help with irrigation and many schools and hospitals have been rebuilt with Canadian help.

For Mellish, visiting Afghanistan was a chance to see first-hand the ongoing effort for which his son paid with his life.

"I think it's just gaining the knowledge that the death was not without some kind of meaning, or was not careless, or useless," he said.

"I know my son died in battle, trying to gain some freedom for the Afghan people. Some of the freedoms we take for granted back in Canada ... and he gave his life trying to gain these freedoms over here. That gives me the satisfaction to know that he didn't die in vain."

Mellish was visibly delighted, however, with the cenotaph and the way the Canadian Forces are honouring their fallen troops.

"They are definitely not forgetting our boys and girls, and they've got a good thing here that will last a long time," he said of the cenotaph, which includes plaques naming each of the 83 Canadians killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

As he spoke, a soldier walking by turned to face the cenotaph and offered a brisk salute as he passed – a traditional gesture that's not an uncommon sight as Canadian troops come and go through the compound.

Mellish was moved to tears.

"That's just respect," he said, his voice breaking, "for his fellow man."

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